Spring 2023 First-Year Road to UM Checklist

Starting in mid-October, you will receive a series of messages to your UM email providing step-by-step assistance with your Road to UM tasks, such as course registration, orientation registration instructions, and more. We will also introduce you to your first course, Road to UM, which is a series of modules that will prepare you for a successful start to your college career.

• Submit your $500 non refundable enrollment deposit

  To secure enrollment, you must submit your $500 nonrefundable enrollment deposit by the due date indicated on your admission letter. This payment can be made by credit card or electronic check.

  Log in to the Applicant Portal to complete the Reply to Offer of Admission form and submit your $500 nonrefundable enrollment deposit.

• Immediately to December 1 Deadline: Make housing arrangements, on or off campus

  The Spring 2023 housing application will be available beginning on November 1. To apply for housing, select “On-Campus Housing Portal” from the Quick Links in your Applicant Portal or the Housing and Dining tab on the left navigation pane in CaneLink. Please note that you will be sent CaneLink login information 24-72 hours after submitting your enrollment deposit. The deadline to apply for spring housing is December 1.

  Although not required nor guaranteed, first-year students admitted for the spring semester can apply for housing. The application is available in the On-Campus Housing Portal beginning early November and is due December 1. If first-year spring students are able to secure an on-campus assignment, housing beyond the first semester is not guaranteed.

  You will be required to submit a $500 prepayment via credit card as part of the application process. The prepayment will be applied to your University student account.

  A sample housing agreement and housing rates for the coming year are available on the housing website.

  Find a roommate

  The housing application process includes a section where you can complete a roommate profile by answering a series of questions about your lifestyle preferences, academic and social pursuits, and other roommate-related topics. If you would like to join the roommate search process, you’ll be assigned a username and asked to provide a brief description of yourself. The program then suggests potential roommates based on your responses, and mutually confirmed roommates create a roommate group. See someone you like? Email them. The deadline to confirm each other as roommates is December 1. Roommate requests are not guaranteed.

  Spring 2023 first-year applicants who are admitted after November 1

  Explore off-campus housing and consider purchasing a commuter meal plan. You may choose to submit an on-campus housing application, and your name will automatically be added to the housing waitlist. In the unlikely event on-campus housing becomes available, you will be notified no earlier than late December.

  You will be required to submit a $500 prepayment via credit card as part of the application process. The prepayment will be applied to your University student account.

  Questions? Visit our Contact Us page. 

• Immediately to December 1: Select a meal plan

  All first-year residents must choose between the unlimited meal plan, 19-meal plan, or 14-meal plan. Students who do not select a meal plan upon enrollment in housing will automatically be signed up for the unlimited meal plan. In CaneLink, under “UM Housing Portal,” go to the meal plan step and make your selection. You will be able to make changes to your plan in CaneLink up to two days before housing opens.

  Students living off-campus may choose from any of the residential and commuter meal plans. To sign up, email diningservices@miami.edu and provide your full name, student number, and meal plan choice.

• Immediately to October 16: Deadline to request a major change through the Office of Undergraduate Admission

  Submit the Change of Major Request form available in your Applicant Portal by October 16 to have Undergraduate Admission update your major. Submitting the form does not guarantee your major will be changed. Undergraduate Admission will email you regarding your approval status as soon as possible.

  After October 16, deposited students must contact their school or college directly. See the New Student Registration Timeline for more information.

  If your major is in the Frost School of Music or the School of Architecture and you did not submit standardized test scores, you will not be able to change your major out of your respective school until you have completed one academic year of courses at the University of Miami.

• Immediately: Start working on Road to UM, your first UM course in Blackboard

  This graded, online course is located in Blackboard, UM’s student learning portal. It will include six modules that will guide you through the steps to be completed before your arrival to campus, and three more to be completed in your first semester.

  You will be notified via your UM email once the course becomes available. Keep an eye on your inbox for Modules 1-3, which will be available as early as November 3. In these modules, you will learn how to set up your UM email, how to use CaneLink, the University’s student portal, how to accept/decline financial awards, how to register for courses, and much more! 

  An email will be sent each time a new set of modules is added to the course. Modules will be assigned as they become relevant to your journey on the Road to UM, along with due dates for each. Stay on track and up to date to ensure a smooth transition to your first year at UM.

• Immediately: Set up your @miami.edu email and check it daily

  Details, including a screen recording of the process listed below, will be covered in Road to UM Module 1.

  You will be notified when your UM email has been assigned. Once assigned, all University information will be sent there, rather than your personal email address. This includes information on registration appointments, financial aid, billing, grades, and student life. Be sure to follow the instructions for accessing your UM email and to check it daily.

  1. To set up and access your UM email, you will be required to log-in with your  Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), which is an additional level of security. If you have trouble setting up your MFA, contact the UM Information Technology (UMIT) Support Center at 305-284-6565 or itsupportcenter@miami.edu.
  2. Set up your UM email. Visit mail.miami.edu and sign in with your Cane ID username and password. Link your UM email account to the email address you use most. 
  3. Link your UM email to your mobile device. For instructions, visit miami.edu/mobileconfig.

• Immediately: Confirm your contact information in CaneLink

  Details are covered in Road to UM Module 1. 

  Keeping your contact information up to date in CaneLink is critical in cases of emergency, extreme weather, and University notifications.

  1. In CaneLink, select Go to Student Centerto access your academic records, financial aid, and bill.
  2. Under the Personal Informationsection, confirm your permanent address, mobile number, and emergency contact information. The emergency contact information provided should be that of a parent, guardian, or responsible family member.

  For a guide on navigating CaneLink, visit canelink.it.miami.edu.

• Immediately: Set up proxy access in CaneLink

  Road to UM Module 1 will cover how to set up proxy access.

  You can grant your parent(s) and/or other individuals access to your information in CaneLink. This is called proxy access. You can grant them access to important information about your academics, financials, and/or billing. We recommend that you grant access to anyone who manages your tuition payments. You always control what’s shared and can make changes anytime.

  For more information, visit miami.edu/canelinkproxy.

• Immediately: Students who have a Social Security card, upload it through our secure portal

  All students with a Social Security number (SSN) are required by law to submit this information to the University due to federal tax regulations. Uploading your card through UM’s secure portal is the most efficient way to ensure you complete this important step. A missing SSN may result in a hold being placed on your CaneLink account and can impact the disbursement of your aid, access to campus employment, issuance of your tax documentation, and future course registration. If you plan to work on campus during your undergraduate career, please make sure you bring your Social Security card with you, as you will be required to present the physical card for employment verification. For more information about document requirements for student employment, refer to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

• Immediately: International students in F-1 or J-1 status should submit the required documents for issuance of Form I-20 (F-1 visa) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 visa)

  Once you deposit, the documents required for issuance will be added as Checklist items in your Applicant Portal.

  Be sure you have scanned and uploaded the following to your Applicant Portal:

  • Biographical page of your passport
  • Bank letter/government sponsorship letter or bank statement (no older than six months) stating the availability of $82,233 S. (sample letter)
  • Sponsorship letter from the bank account holder stating that the funds are available to cover your tuition and expenses
  • SEVIS Transfer form, if attending high school or another university in F-1 status
    • If completing the SEVS Transfer form, submit the I-94 printout

  Visit isss.miami.edu to prepare for your arrival and for information about travel and entry into the United States.

• Immediately: Check for any Holds in CaneLink

  Details and instructions on checking for Holds will be covered in Road to UM Module 1.

  Holds on your CaneLink account may prevent you from registering for classes later in the summer. Check your Holds in CaneLink and submit any pending documents now. Continue to monitor this throughout the summer.

• Immediately to January 2 (deadline): Check your UM email for instructions on your ’Cane Card picture submission

  The ’Cane Card is the official on-campus identification card at UM. Students will be provided with information via email on the requirements and guidelines to submit their photograph online by January 2, 2023.  Submitting the photo online saves valuable time at check-in for ’Cane Kickoff as the ’Cane Card will be pre-printed.  Students who do not submit by the deadline will need to go through the ’Cane Card process upon arrival.

  Looking ahead, students are required to carry their ’Cane Card for identification purposes while on campus. The ’Cane Card can also be used to: 

  • Access buildings, residential areas, the library, and wellness center 
  • Borrow books from the library 
  • Access athletic events 
  • Pay for food at various dining locations on campus 

• Immediately to December 1 (recommended): If you choose to live off campus, apply for a first-year residency requirement waiver

  All first-year students not planning to live on campus are required to submit the first-year residency requirement waiver through the Housing Portal. This waiver process would apply in situations where a first-year student:

  • lives with their parents or a legal guardian in Miami-Dade or Broward County
  • has been out of high school for more than one calendar year
  • is married and/or has dependent children
  • for disciplinary or administrative reasons, has been denied the privilege of living on campus

  Learn more about support services for commuter students, including Commuter Assistants, at miami.edu/csi.

• Immediately: Review the Math Placement policy for students at UM and if applicable, learn about the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment

  If you were admitted without an SAT/ACT test or if you attended high school outside of the United States, you must complete the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment to determine the appropriate math course for you. 

  If you were admitted with an SAT/ACT test, your score may be used for math placement. Option: If a higher-level math placement is desired, you can opt to take the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment for consideration. 

  If you have an approved AP Calculus score of 3 or 4, your result may be used for math placement. 
  Option: If a higher-level math placement is desired, you can opt to take the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment for consideration. 
  

  Visit the ALEKS webpage for more details about ALEKS, to schedule an assessment and to understand how you will be placed.

• Immediately: Register for ’Cane Kickoff Orientation

  All new students must register for and attend ’Cane Kickoff, the mandatory orientation for undergraduate first-year and transfer students. Once you pay your enrollment deposit, you will have access to register through CaneLink.

• Immediately to December 1: Submit a request for disability accommodations, if applicable

  The deadline to guarantee review of disability accommodations requests for the spring semester is December 1. All housing, meals, parking, and emotional support animal (ESA) requests must also be received by December 1. Requests received after this date will be processed for the next term.

  Students with disabilities seeking accommodations must complete an online Accommodation Request Form and submit current and comprehensive documentation of the disability.

• Immediately: Complete financial assistance To Do List items in CaneLink

  Road to UM Module 2 will cover how to check your To Do List items in CaneLink.

  The University cannot award financial assistance until all required documentation is received and reviewed by the Office of Student Financial Assistance and Employment (OSFAE).

  To receive digital communication regarding aid packages, students must agree to the University of Miami Financial Aid Office's e-Consent policy by submitting the Consent to Participate form, located in your financial aid portal. Completing your To Do List items by the recommended due date will help ensure that your bill is accurate.

  Important reminders:

  • Confirm terms and conditions for financial assistance at miami.edu/terms.
  • Finalize your registration plans before the deadline to avoid disbursement issues due to insufficient enrollment. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits to ensure eligibility for all financial assistance.

  To view your financial aid and accept/decline/reduce loans:

  1. In CaneLink select Financials and then View Financial Aid.
  2. Select the 2021+ aid year to reach the financial aid student portal.
  3. Documents received or requested will be displayed on the homepage.
  4. On the homepage, click the drop-down menu.
  5. Click Accept Awards to accept/decline/reduce all or any portion of your awards and loan offers. To reduce a loan award, update the amount in the box and click Accept, then Submit.

• Immediately to December 1: Submit outside scholarship award information and/or checks to Office of Student Financial Assistance and Employment

  More information in Road to UM Module 2.

  Outside resources, such as outside scholarships and veterans’ benefits, must be considered when calculating your eligibility for some need-based aid and, in the case of veterans’ benefits, eligibility for institutional need-based aid. Submitting this information by the recommended due date will ensure your bill is accurate.

  Please submit the Outside Scholarship Documentation Submission Form to the Office of Student Financial Assistance and Employment.

  Checks should be mailed to:

  University of Miami
  P.O. Box 025551, Location 20
  Miami, FL 33102-55551

• Immediately to December 1: If using VA educational benefits, contact the VA Certifying Official

  More information in Road to UM Module 2.

  Veterans or dependents of veterans may be entitled to VA educational benefits under Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, and 1606. Submitting this information by the recommended due date will ensure your bill is accurate.

  Complete information on submitting enrollment documentation can be found at miami.edu/veteransaffairs. Submit your documents to UM’s Certifying Official at veterans@miami.edu by August 1. You may also contact them at 305-284-8682.

  Veterans benefits may be considered a resource when determining eligibility for need-based institutional assistance. For additional information, contact a financial aid advisor at 305-284-6000.

• November 30: Follow the instructions from your school or college to register for courses by the deadline

  Further details found in Road to UM Module 3.

  Each of the University’s schools and colleges has a specific program of course registration and academic advising.

  Your school or college will email you directly with details about registration and advising. School-specific instructions to register for courses are available at miami.edu/newstudentregister.

  In preparation for your registration, please review the Undergraduate Academic Bulletin to view course curriculum requirements and a sample plan of study for your specific major. Once on the page, select your school/college, major, and track/degree.

• Immediately to January 17: Deadline to submit your final high school transcript

  Further details found in Road to UM Module 3.

  If you have been recently admitted, send your official final high school transcript to the Office of Undergraduate Admission as soon as it becomes available and no later than the start of your first semester. Your admission may be at risk if we do not receive your official final high school transcript. Official final high school transcripts must be sent directly from your high school. A school official may submit them electronically via the Common Application, Slate.org, SCOIR, or Parchment. They can also be emailed directly from your school official to mydocuments@miami.edu. If electronic submission is not possible, these documents can be mailed to University of Miami, Office of Undergraduate Admission, P.O. Box 249117, Coral Gables, FL 33124-9117.

  Final high school transcripts do not include IB, AP, or CLEP scores, so watch out for when they are released and request them to be sent directly from the testing agency to UM. 

  For a list of credit equivalencies, visit miami.edu/creditequiv.

• Immediately to November 21: For advising purposes, submit your dual enrollment course credit, official AP/IB scores, and complete any course placement or entrance exams required

  Further details found in Road to UM Module 3.

  To ensure that you can enroll in the appropriate class levels, submit your test scores by the recommended deadline, when applicable. Submit scores and/or grades for AP, IB, and dual enrollment course credit.
  
  To have Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) Level HL, and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) scores evaluated for University credit, have your scores sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admission from the College Board, your regional IB office, or previously attended institution(s), respectively, as soon as the scores are available.

  All exam scores must be sent directly from the appropriate testing agency. For College Board (AP and CLEP), the University of Miami’s school code is 5815.

  A minimum grade of a “C” is required for consideration of dual enrollment courses, and no more than 60 credits will be accepted from these programs.

  For a list of credit equivalencies, visit miami.edu/creditequiv.

• December: Commuter students, consider our convenient mobility options for transportation to and from campus.

  Visit miami.edu/mobility for information on campus shuttles, public transit, carpooling, and UBike. You can also contact us at 305-284.1547 for more information.

• Immediately: If entering the United States in F-1 or J-1 status, pay the SEVIS fee and apply for a student visa immediately upon receipt of Form I-20 or DS-2019

  Prompt attention to these steps will minimize delays with your student visa.

  • Review your I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) form. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at admission@miami.edu if you have any questions.
  • Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee at fmjfee.com. Print the fee receipt as proof of payment and take it with you to your visa appointment and when you travel to the United States.
  • Apply for a student visa to enter the United States (citizens of Canada and Bermuda are exempt). Student visas cannot be obtained in the United States.

  For information on how to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa, as well as approximate wait times for visa interviews and application processing, visit state.gov.

• Immediately to January 12: If your tuition is paid by a third-party sponsor, submit your Financial Guarantee Letter

  If your tuition is paid by a third-party or government sponsor, you must submit a current Financial Guarantee Letter from the sponsor to thirdparty.osas@miami.edu before the start of each semester.

  For more information, visit miami.edu/sponsor.

• Immediately to January 12 (recommended): If using Florida Prepaid funds, submit the Authorization Form

  Further details found in Road to UM Module 4.

  To have your Florida Prepaid funds applied to your student account, submit the Florida Prepaid College Program Transfer Form to the Florida Prepaid College Program and the online authorization form to the Office of Student Accounts.

• Immediately to January 10: U.S. citizens, last day to accept or waive University-sponsored health insurance

  Further details found in Road to UM Module 4.

  All students enrolled in six or more credits are required to have comprehensive health insurance coverage, whether through the University’s plan or a personal plan.

  Starting early November, U.S. citizens must choose to accept or waive the University plan coverage and fee as soon as possible and no later than January 10 through the Aetna Student Health portal. For instructions on how to waive the University plan coverage, visit miami.edu/newstudenthealth.

• Immediately to December 15: Complete and submit proof of immunizations

  All students are required to complete and present proof of immunizations no later than December 15.

  • Visit miami.edu/immunizationsto print out the form and have your medical provider complete an immunization compliance form.
  • Upload the completed immunization form. If you plan to live on campus, you will also be asked to document that you have received or were informed of the hepatitis and meningococcal meningitis immunizations.

• December 12 to January 12: Pay your tuition invoice 

  Payment options and how to pay your bill are covered in Road to UM Module 4.

  Once you accept or decline your financial aid awards, you can view and pay any remaining balance in CaneLink.

  Failure to pay your tuition by the deadline will interfere with your ability to move into on-campus housing in the fall and may result in the cancellation of your enrollment. 

  The Monthly Payment Plan (MPP) option divides your educational expenses—tuition, fees, on-campus housing, and meal plan expenses—into monthly payments during the fall and spring semesters.

  • Participants are billed in equal monthly installments. A nonrefundable 3 percent administration fee is charged and added on to the monthly payments.
  • Payment plan installments are scheduled and automatically deducted each month.
  • Financial aid requirements must be finalized before signing up for the MPP.

  Payment options:

  1. In person at the Cashier’s Window:
     1307 Stanford Drive, Student Services Building, first floor
     Coral Gables, FL 33146
  2. Online via CaneLink:
     —eCheck (ACH)
     —Credit cards (a service fee is applied)
     —Wire payments
     —International payments
  3. By mail to:
     University of Miami
     O. Box 025551
     Location 20
     Miami, FL 33102-5551

  
  Questions about billing or payments? Contact ’Canes Central.

• January: Consider enrolling in direct deposit

  Instructions are found in Road to UM Module 4.

  Have your refunds deposited directly into your checking or savings account. To sign up, select Enroll in Direct Deposit from the drop-down menu under the Finances section in CaneLink. Only U.S. bank accounts can be used for this service.

• December 15 to January 14: Deadline to complete Part 1 of the AlcoholEdu & Sexual Assault Prevention course

  Further details found in Road to UM Module 5.

  All incoming students are required to complete online Get Inclusive courses addressing substance abuse, sexual assault prevention. Failure to complete any portion of the courses will result in your inability to register for courses. An additional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion course will be optional.

  Course links will be sent to your UM email mid-December. If you do not receive the link, email campusclarity@miami.edu from your UM email address for access. Courses must be completed before you begin orientation to avoid a registration hold.

  For more information regarding the online course requirement, visit miami.edu/doso.

• January: If entering the United States in an F-1 or J-1 status, familiarize yourself with U.S. entry procedures

  Prepare for your arrival, including information about travel and entry into the United States. Visit isss.miami.edu for additional information.

  Entering the United States

  When traveling to the United States, carry your original Form I-20 or DS-2019 along with your passport, visa, (citizens of Canada and Bermuda are exempt), and I-901 SEVIS fee receipt. Do not put these documents in your checked baggage.

  Present your documents to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the U.S. port of entry when you arrive. You may arrive no earlier than 30 days before, and no later than the start date listed on your Form I-20 or DS-2019.

• January: Familiarize yourself with the University's Academic Calendar

  The Academic Calendar is an important resource every semester. It lists important university-wide dates and deadlines like the first and last day of classes, holidays, and final exam schedules. Be sure to bookmark it for easy reference!

• January 10 to January 11: Arrival and move-in open to new students

  Detailed instructions will be sent to students' University email addresses in the summer, and information will be posted on the ’Cane Kickoff and move-in webpages as more details are available.

  • Incoming international and exchange students living on campus will move in on January 10. International Student Orientation (ISO) will be on January 11.
  • Incoming domestic undergraduate students living on campuswill move in and check in for ’Cane Kickoff on January 11.
  • If you will be commuting or living off campus, you may check in for ’Cane Kickoff the morning of January 12.

  As a reminder, all students will receive their ’Cane Card upon check-in for ’Cane Kickoff.

• January 11: International and exchange students, attend the mandatory orientation

  International Student Orientation (ISO) is a mandatory pre-orientation program sponsored by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for new and transfer University of Miami international students. ISO complements ’Cane Kickoff by providing international students with information and experiences that will assist in their transition to living and studying in the United States.

  Exchange students must attend the compulsory Exchange Student Orientation session during ’Cane Kickoff .

• January 11-14: Participate in ’Cane Kickoff Orientation

  All new students must attend ’Cane Kickoff, the mandatory orientation for undergraduate first-year and transfer students.